June 18, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Car bomb hits Somalia hospital; 2 dead
18 Jun- Source: AP- 115 words
A nurse says a car bomb detonated outside of a hospital in Somalia’s capital run by the International Committee of the Red Cross, killing two people.
Mohamed Omar also said that five people were wounded in the Wednesday attack. Omar said the dead were a doctor and a nurse.
The 65-bed emergency care hospital has been operational for much of the last two decades of conflict in Somalia, making it one of the city’s most important health facilities.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the blast but the vast majority of bomb attacks in Mogadishu are carried out by al Shabaab, an al Qaeda linked terror group in Somalia that controlled most of Mogadishu several years ago.
Key Headlines
- PM Abdiweli visits Kenya amid deadly attacks on civilians (Radio Mogadishu/RBC)
- Blast at Keysaney Hospital kills one and injures seven (Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Dalsan)
- AMISOM Ethiopian forces conduct night patrols In Baidoa (AMISOM)
- Somali president arrives in Jowhar town Middle Shabelle region (Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu)
- Man arrested in Marka after bomb attack in the town (Radio Shabelle)
- Interim Juba administration blames al Shabaab for clashes in Kismayo (Radio Goobjoog)
- Somali MPs attends Arab Parliament summit in Cairo (Radio Shabelle)
- Al Shabaab spokesman says they took controlled Mpeketoni town for 10 hours (Radio RBC/Somalimemo Online)
- AMISOM conduct human rights training for Somalia forces (AMISOM)
- Car bomb hits Somalia hospital; 2 dead (AP)
- Several killed along Somalia-Ethiopia border (Somali Current)
- Muslim leaders poke holes in security system (Standard Media)
- Somalia: Clan militia refuses to vacate Marka coastal town (Garowe Online)
- Somalia’s growing relations with the world goes faster in the absence of political stability and security(Al Shahid)
- Uganda dispatches 1440 troops to Somalia (World Bulletin)
- FBI investigates city’s Somali community (Minnesota Daily)
- Scores killed in two days of attacks on Kenyan coast (The News International)
SOMALI MEDIA
PM Abdiweli visits Kenya amid deadly attacks on civilians
18 Jun – Source: Radio Mogadishu/RBC – 174 words
Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed has traveled to Kenyan capital, Nairobi amid deadly attacks on Kenya’s Mpeketoni town by al Shabaab militant group. Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh and his delegation comprising of government ministers and officials of the Prime Minister’s office departed from Mogadishu lateon Tuesday.
In a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office, the visit which is described as official is aimed on improving the bilateral ties between Somalia and Kenya. According to the statement, the Prime Minister of Somalia will hold meetings with Kenyan government officials.
The visit came after al Shabaab group in Somalia claimed the responsibility of two attacks on Sunday andMonday at the Mpeketoni town killing more than 50 including civilians and government soldiers. Kenya is part of the African Union Mission in Somalia [AMISOM] which is battling against al Shabaab inside Somalia.
During his visit in Kenya, Somali Premier will discuss the security issues with the Kenyan government officials and its is expected to focus on specialty of the latest attacks on Mpeketoni area.
Blast at Keysaney Hospital kills one and injures seven
18 Jun- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Dalsan/Kulmiye/Mustaqbal/Radio Danan- 86 words
At least one person is confirmed to have been killed and seven others injured in an explosion which occurred at Keysaney Hospital in the Somali capital, Mogadishu in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The explosion reportedly left one medical staff dead and injured Dr. Abdulkadir Hussein Jimale Hoogga, one of the leading doctors at Keysaney Hospital.
Speaking to Bar-kulan, Dr. Hoogga said that he sustained minor injuries from the blast and added that he does not know who was behind the explosion. The explosion was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device planted under his car which was left at the hospital overnight.
Karan District police chief, Bo’or Hassan Emi who spoke to Bar-kulan said that security forces arrived at the scene and the situation is under their control. Witnesses told Bar-kulan that they believed the blast was targeting an official from Banadir regional administration who visited the hospital overnight. No one has claimed responsibility of the attack so far.
AMISOM Ethiopian forces conduct night patrols In Baidoa
18 Jun- Source: AMISOM- 305 words
As the populace in Baidoa is slowly getting accustomed to the presence of Ethiopian Peacekeepers in the region, the security and peace has greatly improved. Civilians are seen shopping late into the night, thanks to the regular night patrols conducted jointly by Somali National Army and AMISOM.
The night patrols is aimed at deterring al Shabaab from staging attacks with the aim of maintaining security and to allow civilians to move freely and enjoy the normalcy unlike the decades of war.
During the patrols buildings are searched, suspicious civilians are held and questioned and vehicles are stopped as the security personnel conduct thorough searches.
Somali president arrives in Jowhar town, Middle Shabelle region
18 Jun- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu/Radio Goobjoog- 112 words
A delegation led by Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has on Wednesday arrived in Jowhar, the provincial capital of Middle Shabelle region.
Middle Shabelle administration’s spokesperson who talked to Bar-kulan said the president is expected to hold talks with local administration officials, community elders and security officials over the situation in the area.
He added that the security of the town has been heightened as hundreds of people lined up in the major roads to welcome the president to the town.
Another delegation led by two former Prime Ministers of transitional federal government, Ali Mohamed Gedi and Omar Abdirashid reached the town on Tuesday to welcome president Hassan and his delegation.
This is the second visit of the Somali president to Jowhar town since he came to power in almost two years ago.
Man arrested in Marka after bomb attack in the town
18 Jun- Source: Radio Shabelle- 65 words
News reports from Marka town in the Lower Shabelle region indicate that a man was arrested after being suspected of being behind an explosion in the town recently. This explosion that occurred was caused by an IED bomb in Marka targeted at police officers of the Somali Police Force. Witnesses told radio Shabelle that the bomb was thrown in the Awbaae neighborhood of Marka town.
Interim Juba administration blames al Shabaab for clashes in Kismayo
18 Jun- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 147 words
The security agencies of Interim administration of Juba in Southern Somalia stated that al Shabaab was behind the clash between two Juba administration forces in Kismayo city two days ago. Mohamed Khayre, one of the senior security officials said that politician whose intention is to create havoc in the region are inciting more clashes to occur between the communities in Kismayo.
He added that the security of the region particularly Kismayo will be maintained and the administration will not tolerate any more clash of this kind in the town.
At least three people died after two Juba administration forces exchanged fire in Alanley neighbourhood on Monday. One of the sides withdrew from the town and joined the rival group led by Bare Hirale in the outskirts of the town as a spokesman of Bare confirmed to Radio Goobjoog.
Somali MPs attends Arab Parliament summit in Cairo
18 Jun- Source: Radio Shabelle- 89 words
Mohamed Omar Dalha the deputy chairman of parliamentary foreign affairs committee and other delegates are attending Arab Parliament summit going on in the Egyptian capital. Legislator Dalha said that many topics were discussed In the summit regarding Somalia. Furthermore, the Member of Parliament said that 6 MPs of Arab Parliament countries had the opportunity to meet with new Egyptian President Abdifatah Al-Sisi. “They welcomed us very well and in fact we discussed cooperation with his government in many aspects,” he said.
Al Shabaab spokesman says they took controlled Mpeketoni town for 10 hours
18 Jun – Source: Radio RBC/Somalimemo Online – 209 words
The al Qaeda-inspired militant group in Somalia al Shabaab said its fighters who attacked Kenya’s Mpeketoni town controlled the town for 10 hours without encountering any resistance. In an audio press conference posted on online late on Tuesday, the group’s military spokesman Abdiaziz abu Mus’ab said the fighters of al Shabaab retreated from the town of Mpeketoni early morning on Monday.
More than 60 including civilians and government security officials were killed in two attacks in Mpeketoni and surrounding area on Sunday night and on Monday night this week. “The Mujahiden went on to the town and targeted the members of the enemy,” he said.
“Our fighters continued to control Mpeketoni for 10 hours consecutive without any resistance. Following the orders of the Emir of the Mujahedin they have later withdrew without any problem facing them,” he added. Abu Musab added that the attacks on Sunday and Monday on Mpeketoni town were the result of previous warnings from the al Shabaab’s top leaders.
“We have called on Kenya several times to halt invading the Muslims and this was the outcome of our calls,” he added. On Tuesday the Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta rejected the claims that al Shabaab group was behind the attacks. President Kenyatta blamed the attacks on local politicians.
AMISOM conduct human rights training for Somalia forces
18 Jun- Source: AMISOM- 325 words
African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and partners concluded a one week training of trainers’ (TOT) course for Somali National Army (SNA) and some of its personnel from the various contingents serving with the mission.
The training of Trainers for 45 trainees from SNA and 27 from AMISOM is aimed at integrating and strengthening the troops understanding of international human rights in the application to their profession.
Colonel Daniel D. Yanke, AMISOM chief trainer commended the trainees for their efforts and said the training will enhance Somali National Army Officers’ understanding of the basic rules regulating the conduct of hostilities in Somalia. It will also lead to the adoption of a forward looking strategy and action plan to ensure compliance with IHL by SNA and respect for other relevant norms.
Several killed along Somalia-Ethiopia border
17 Jun- Source: Somali Current- 129 words
More than 20 people are reported to have been killed while scores others wounded in a fighting near Somalia-Ethiopia border. Witness said there was exchange of heavy weapons in the fighting which lasted for several hours between suspected members of al Shabaab militant group and Ethiopian forces in the border.
Both al Shabaab militant group and Ethiopian forces are yet to confirm or deny the reports of the confrontation however residents in the fighting zone have expressed their fears that heavy arms confrontation is expected as both sides are seen regrouping for fresh fighting.
Al Shabaab militant group and Ethiopian forces have previously clashed in the area for control. Ethiopia troops have joined AMISOM peacekeeping forces in Somalia earlier this year joining Kenya, Djibouti, Uganda, Burundi and Sierra Leone.
Somalia: Clan militia refuses to vacate Marka coastal town
17 Jun – Source: Garowe Online – 88 words
Armed clan militia refused to vacate Lower Shabelle regional capital of Marka of southern Somalia after deadly confrontations, Garowe Online reports. Amidst mediation efforts led by Federal Government of Somalia’s Minister of Defence and caretaker, National Security Minister Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Hamud the situation deadlocked when self-declared administration of Shabelle state reportedly in support of clan militia opened offices in Marka on Tuesday. Minister Hamud who addressed media members disclosed that a group of armed forces including Defence, Intelligence and Police are accompanying him on the mediation process.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Muslim leaders poke holes in security system
18 Jun – Source: Standard Media – 167 words
Muslim leaders have condemned the recent killings in Mpeketoni and questioned the competency of the security agencies. At the same time, they opposed Opposition calls for mass action saying this would only bring more harm to the country.
National Muslim Leaders Forum Spokesperson Abdullahi Abdi said it was rather strange that the attack which appeared to have been well planned happened without the knowledge of security and intelligence officers. “Instead of the Government addressing the emerging security concerns, we are being treated to knee jerk reactions where the focus is on harassing innocent people and collective punishment of communities while those killing and maiming Kenyans continue with their evil trade,” he said.
Abdi further cautioned that some of the attacks are aimed at planting seeds of discord and animosity among Kenyans and dividing the country along ethnic and religious lines. “In these trying times, the country needs to be united and political leaders should stop the blame game and resolve to dialogue and engage peacefully,” he added.
Somalia’s growing relations with the world goes faster in the absence of political stability and security
17 Jun- Source: Al Shahid- 266 words
Somali president, Hassan Sheikh Mahmud who addressed on Monday to Somali MPs in the house of parliament which al Shabab attacked last month, announced that political relation with entire world grew faster during last 20 month which he was in power, while he also declared that last two decades’ violence resulted bad image that will take long time to be changed.
“Last twenty months I accepted the credentials of forty eight new ambassadors to Somalia Canadian ambassador to Somalia was the last one. It shows that our foreign policy works faster,” Somali president declared.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud accepted 15 June, 2014 the credentials of the new Canadian ambassador to Somalia, Mr David Angel.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Car bomb hits Somalia hospital; 2 dead
18 Jun- Source: AP- 115 words
A nurse says a car bomb detonated outside of a hospital in Somalia’s capital run by the International Committee of the Red Cross, killing two people. Mohamed Omar also said that five people were wounded in the Wednesday attack. Omar said the dead were a doctor and a nurse.
The 65-bed emergency care hospital has been operational for much of the last two decades of conflict in Somalia, making it one of the city’s most important health facilities.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the blast but the vast majority of bomb attacks in Mogadishu are carried out by al Shabaab, an al Qaeda linked terror group in Somalia that controlled most of Mogadishu several years ago.
Uganda dispatches 1,440 troops to Somalia
18 Jun – Source: World Bulletin – 121 words
The Uganda Peoples Defense Forces on Monday dispatched 1,440 soldiers to serve in Somalia under the African Union Somalia Mission (AMISOM). “They are also replacing battle group 11plus, who have already completed their 12-month tour of duty,” deputy army spokesman Henry Obbo told Anadolu Agency.
“On arrival, they shall be conducting military work, especially fighting against Somali al Shabaab militants,” he said. “They may [also] be called upon to conduct some police work in Somalia,” Obbo added.
The fresh deployment, the spokesman said, was intended “to help boost the AMISOM and the Somali government plan to build capacity for the Somali security forces.” Deo Akiiki, UPDF army spokesperson in Somalia, told AA that the rotation of troops would begin on Tuesday.
FBI investigates city’s Somali community
18 Jun- Source: Minnesota Daily-561 Words
Agents from the Minneapolis office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation are collecting information from Cedar-Riverside residents as part of an ongoing investigation spurred by recent allegations of American citizens joining Syrian rebels overseas.
Rumors that neighborhood residents are illegally fighting in conflict overseas prompted agents from the FBI to ramp up their already-existing presence in the neighborhood earlier this month, said Minneapolis FBI spokesman Kyle Loven.
He said agents are actively interviewing residents and informing them about the allegations, while also trying to figure out if anyone in the community is involved.
“We’re looking for information that would indicate that someone intends to travel to a country where there’s armed conflict,” Loven said.
Since Ethiopian military forces invaded Somalia in 2006, Loven said at least 22 Somali immigrants — who were mostly young men — have left Minnesota to join al Shabaab, a Somali terrorist organization. He said the FBI is continuing investigations into those incidents.
Scores killed in two days of attacks on Kenyan coast
18 Jun -Source: The News International – 114 words
At least 64 people have been killed in two consecutive nights of carnage in Kenya’s coastal region, officials said on Tuesday, with the Kenyan president blaming “local political networks” and Somalia’s Shebab insisting they were responsible.
Over 50 people are missing following the massacres, the Red Cross said, with scores first fleeing an attack overnight Sunday in the town of Mpeketoni in which at least 49 people were killed, and then a second in the nearby village of Poromoko late Monday where gunmen slaughtered 15 people.
The al Qaeda-linked Islamists said its fighters had carried out the attacks, close to the tourist island of Lamu, and that its commando unit had returned to base unhindered.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“If al Shabaab hoped its attacks on Kenya would destabilise the east African regional giant, it is at risk of succeeding in more ways than one.”
Kenyatta’s political manoeuvres play into al Shabaab hands
17 Jun- Source: Financial Times Blog-682 Words
The Kenyan military says it. The African Union says it. Even al-Shabaab says it. But President Uhuru Kenyatta not only refuses to say it; he actively denies it. In a speech televised to the nation more than 40 hours after 49 of his countrymen were massacred in a terrorist attack on a coastal town, Mr Kenyatta has blamed not Islamist jihadis from al Shabaab, the al Qaeda-linked Somali militants who claimed responsibility for the raid, but “local political networks”.
“The attack in Lamu was well-planned, orchestrated, and politically motivated ethnic violence against a Kenyan community, with the intention of profiling and evicting them for political reasons,” he said in the speechon Tuesday afternoon. “This therefore, was not an al Shabaab terrorist attack.”
Few corroborate his view. Eyewitnesses, who say gunmen targeted men who could not recite the Islamic creed, are among those convinced it was indeed a terrorist attack. Western diplomats and security experts – who have heavily criticised the Kenyan government’s response to insecurity in recent months – say it is appalling the government is politicising the latest massacre rather than addressing the rising security crisis.
“We need to delve into the sole motive of the so-called terrorists. Just look at the recent attacks in Kenya where the al Shabaab killed scores of people and the abduction and converting of schoolgirls from one religion to another in Nigeria by Boko Haram.You will realise that these extremists are fighting to enforce a religion they perceive ‘righteous’.”
Your mail: Who is a terrorist?
17 Jun- Source: The Observer-349 Words
The events unfolding in the world have defeated logic. It is strange that any disgruntled person that picks up arms and wages a war against a government is deemed ‘a terrorist’, especially if they are affiliated to Islam. Of recent, I have been reading about Boko Haram, a rebel group fighting the government of Nigeria. They are now deemed terrorists!
The al Shabaab rebels fought and successfully overthrew the government of Somalia and formed a government run under Islamic Sharia law. But they were quickly blacklisted by world powers and driven out of the capital, Mogadishu. This rebel group has also been anointed ‘terrorists’.
A good number of leaders worldwide ascended to power through rebellion, but the world has never looked at them as terrorists. One wonders what criterion is used to show that certain armed groups are terrorists!
Personally, I thought that terrorism was all in Osama Bin Laden, but with him gone, it is worrying that things are getting out of hand. Using force to avert terrorism has hit a snag; instead, it is fuelling the act. There is need to devise other means.
“For instance, the current central government in Mogadishu cannot survive without the backing of the African Union forces, which is part of a UN mission. Relying on external actors means that, in Somalia, all want to have influence. The main players are the UN, the US, the EU, international NGOs, the African Union, neighbouring countries, Arab nations and Turkey, a relative newcomer. In public, all of them say they have the same vision, but the reality is that they have their own agendas and interests, which at times collide.”
Who should govern Somalia: Somalis or the UN?
17 Jun- Source: Channel 4 News-638 Words
Last week the UN Special Representative for Somalia, Nicholas Kay spoke at Chatham House. The talk was about the country’s successes and the difficulties it faces: the role of the UN mission in Somalia (Unsom) and the “political in-fighting within the government”.
But there’s in-fighting elsewhere that he would have been unlikely to mention: the power struggle between the UN and the current government. It comes down to who should govern Somalia: Somalis or foreigners?
Mr Kay is seen as the most powerful man in the country. He is accused of undermining the government, siding with Somalia’s archenemies, Ethiopia and Kenya, blackmailing and threatening those who oppose him, including the president, and generally using divide-and-rule tactics.
Top tweets
@Abdikarim_Abdi3 1 killed and 6 wounded after car bomb explosion this morning inside Keysaney Hospital. #Mogadishu#Somalia pic.twitter.com/YFp5dzs4Fj
@SomaliaEU First Queen’s Birthday in #Somalia since 1991 at first #EU Member State Embassy to open in #Mogadishupic.twitter.com/SOlsEMEDfk
@OzRefugeeCounc A display at the @AuburnCity Refugee Camp in my Neighbourhood, built by Auburn’s Somali community #RefugeeWeek2014 pic.twitter.com/Vz0UKZSd85
@Erastus_Mwencha 12/06/2014 with H.E Ambassador Anadif, Head of Amisom. pic.twitter.com/SS8UoUzRGx
@DalmarMillenium The building of a new terminal at aden adde airport is finally underway #Mogadishu #Somaliapic.twitter.com/3nVQWRwjJp
Image of the day
SRCC Amb. Mahamat Annadif, his Dep. Hon. Lydia Wanyoto meet Somali PM Abdiwelli Sheikh. #AMISOM engaging with FGS. Photo: @amisomsomalia